Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes 7:9-18.

“9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry,
For anger resides in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good
And an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.
13 Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
14 In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility;  there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise.  Why should you ruin yourself?  17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool.  Why should you die before your time?  18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other;  for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.”   Ecclesiastes 7:9-18.

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“13 Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
14 In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.”  Verses 13-14.

When we consider the work of God, we learn about God’s providence.  And, when we understand God’s providence, we become more patient in the day of adversity and more happy in the day of prosperity.  And, we become more thankful for all the days that God has given us.

Here is how the Heidelberg Catechism states it.

“Q. 27.  What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

A.  The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures;  so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by His fatherly hand. 

Q. 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?

 A.  That we may be patient in adversity;  thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love;  since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.

But, we should not live out our lives “waiting for the other shoe to drop”, that is, expect something bad to happen after something good happens to us as if God were some Greek god amused to just mess with us.

Rather, we should expect that the day of adversity comes to us because God, our Heavenly Father, caused it for our good.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

Yes, we get sick.  But, how many days did we have that were in good health?  Moreover, God caused that sickness to be for our good.  (As a personal example, I remember getting sick with a bad flu about six years ago which diminished my appetite causing me to lose about 10 pounds because I only wanted to eat chicken soup, and that experience motivated me to stay with chicken soup and lose another 20 pounds.)

Yes, we experienced financial troubles.  But, how many days did we have food and clothing and shelter?

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:31-33.

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes 7:1-8.

“A good name is better than a good ointment,
And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning,
While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man
Than for one to listen to the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot,
So is the laughter of the fool;
And this too is futility.
7 For oppression makes a wise man mad,
And a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.”   Ecclesiastes 7:1-8.

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We all have lost family and friends, some younger and some older, and we were confronted by their death.  No matter how glowing the eulogy, the person remained dead, and we were confronted with the shortness of life.  For me most recently and most striking, I lost an attorney friend with whom I shared office space for seventeen years.  This man was very successful in the practice of law and very well-liked by all.  He could immediately draw the attention of a conference room of people and make them laugh together in the midst of a difficult legal problem.  He was “larger than life”.  And yet, he died at the relatively young age of 65, and like all who died he remained dead.

“10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
11 Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”  Psalm 90:10-12.

When the wise go to a funeral or memorial service (“a house of mourning” in the language of today’s Scripture), the wise meditate on the shortness of life, what they have done or could do during their own life, and the destination of their own soul after death.  Such thoughts drive the wise to number their days so that they use them more wisely.  Such thoughts drive the wise to fear the LORD and to seek refuge in Him.

“And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.  And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’  Then he said, ‘This is what I will do:  I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come;  take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’  But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your soul is required of you;  and now who will own what you have prepared?’  So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  Luke 12:16-21.

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?  For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Mark 8:36-37.

But, there is hope for my attorney friend and all others who have faith in Christ!

Although their body remains dead, their soul remains alive and goes to God in heaven.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:11-12.

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes chapter 6.

“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men— 2 a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires;  yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner enjoys them.  This is vanity and a severe affliction.  3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, 4 for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity;  and its name is covered in obscurity.  5 It never sees the sun and it never knows anything;  it is better off than he.  6 Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not enjoy good things—do not all go to one place?”

7 All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied.  8 For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool?  What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living?  9 What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires.  This too is futility and a striving after wind.

10 Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is;  for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.  11 For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man?  12 For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life?  He will spend them like a shadow.  For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?”  Ecclesiastes chapter 6.

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Life is short.  Life is futile.  So says the “Preacher” Solomon in today’s Scripture.

We see similar expressions in the following Scripture but with advice at the conclusion.

“9 For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
11 Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”  Psalm 90:9-12.

And, how do we get this heart of wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10.

True wisdom fears the LORD and seeks knowledge of God, understanding that man and his works are transitory but that God and His works are eternal.

“15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,”  Psalm 103:15-17.

And yet, other doctrine is proud, focuses on man, and teaches man’s wisdom, man’s alleged free-will, and man’s works.

But, Reformed Doctrine is humble, focuses on God, and teaches God’s wisdom, God’s will, and God’s works.

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes 5:8-20.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following Scriptures.

“13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun:  riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.  14 When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.  15 As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came.  He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.  16 This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man is born, thus will he die.  So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?  17 Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger.

18 Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting:  to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him;  for this is his reward.  19 Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor;  this is the gift of God.  20 For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”  Ecclesiastes 5:13-20.

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“This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man is born, thus will he die.  So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?  Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger.”  Verses 16-17.

But, there is hope!

God blesses His beloved, those who fear him, those who trust in Him.

“…  God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”  Verse 20.

“It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”  Psalm 127:2.

“How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.”  Psalm 128:1-4.

“11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm 84:11-12.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …”  Galatians 5:22.

“… But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:10-11.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  Psalm 103:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.

“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools;  for they do not know they are doing evil.  Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God.  For God is in heaven and you are on the earth;  therefore let your words be few.  For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.

When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools.  Pay what you vow!  It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.  Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake.  Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?  For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness.  Rather, fear God.”  Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.

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In a recent prior devotion, we discussed one aspect of this truth that in many words there is emptiness and that instead we should fear God.

In brief review, Solomon had observed:  “I said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me;  and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”  And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly;  I realized that this also is striving after wind.  Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.”  Ecclesiastes 1:16-18.

And, I commented:  “There are those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:7.

But, there is another aspect to this truth that in many words there is emptiness and that instead we should fear God.  Scripture shows that there is a childlike quietness and composure in trusting God.

“O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.”  Psalm chapter 131.

“… May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him,
Who shields him all the day,
And he dwells between His shoulders.”  Deuteronomy 33:12.

Other doctrine preaches and teaches as if there is salvation through man’s many actions and man’s many words.

But, Reformed Doctrine preaches and teaches that there is salvation through trust in God’s work and God’s words.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them;  for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”  Matthew 6:7-8.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said,

2 “I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
6 Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes.”  Job 42:1-5.

“I know that everything God does will remain forever;  there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.”  Ecclesiastes 3:14.

“16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.”  Psalm 33:17-18.

“8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.”  Psalm 52:8-9.

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes 3:1-14.

“There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven—

2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?  10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

11 He has made everything appropriate in its time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;  13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.  14 I know that everything God does will remain forever;  there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.”   Ecclesiastes 3:1-14.

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As poetically stated in verses 1-8, man’s work shifts back and forth from killing to healing, from tearing down to building up etc. with little or no profit.  “What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?”  Verse 9.

But, God’s work remains forever.  “I know that everything God does will remain forever;  there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.”  Verse 14.

And yet, other doctrine preaches and teaches as if man’s alleged free-will is in control.

But, Reformed Doctrine not only teaches that God’s will is in control, “there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it (God’s work)”.  Verse 14.

There is not one person to add to God’s elect.  And, there is not one person to take away from God’s elect.

“Article 8.  …   it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation …”  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

And, for all these elect, and only these elect, “God has so worked that men should fear Him.”  Verse 14.

“Article 14.  Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure;  but because it is in reality conferred, breathed, and infused into him; or even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of that salvation, and actually believe in Christ;  but because he who works in man both to will and to do, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe, and the act of believing also.”  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof. of Canons of Dordt.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

Today’s devotion comes from Ecclesiastes 2:1-11.

“I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure.  So enjoy yourself.”  And behold, it too was futility.  I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”  I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.  I enlarged my works:  I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself;  I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;  I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.  I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves.  Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.  Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces.  I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines.

Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.  All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.  Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 2:1-11.

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Neither wisdom nor work nor pleasures satisfy (give profit and peace).

In the preceding chapter, we have seen that wisdom does not satisfy.

“And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly;  I realized that this also is striving after wind.  Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.”  Ecclesiastes 1:17-18.

In the preceding chapter, we have also seen that work does not satisfy.

“What advantage does man have in all his work
Which he does under the sun?”  Ecclesiastes 1:3.

And, in today’s Scripture, we have seen that pleasures do not satisfy.

“I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure.  So enjoy yourself.”  And behold, it too was futility.  I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”  Verses 1-2.

In summary, “All things are wearisome;  …”.  Ecclesiastes 1:8.

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
“Vanity of vanities!  All is vanity.”  Ecclesiastes 1:2.  (“Vanity is defined in part by Dictionary.com as “excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc.; …)

But, there is hope!

Reformed Doctrine teaches that man is satisfied by seeking and glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.  

“Q. 1.  What is the chief and highest end of man?

A.  Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.”  Westminster Larger Catechism.

“25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.”  Psalm 73:25-28.